The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, turns 109 today, and he’s still hoping for a National Memorial in Washington for his WWI comrades.

Mr. Buckles is expected to deliver remarks during a quiet celebration this afternoon at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia.

But the old ‘Doughboy’ as World War I American infantry troops were called -- has already been outspoken in recent years, urging congressional lawmakers to give federal recognition, and a much needed facelift, to a run-down District of Columbia memorial in an overgrown, wooded area along the National Mall.

Last December, at 108, Buckles testified on Capitol Hill as lawmakers considered whether to fund this renovation and give the site ‘national monument’ status. But rival legislation seeks the ‘national’ designation for a 1920s-era memorial located in Kansas City, Missouri.

Congress has not yet decided on the legislation.

In 2008, Mr. Buckles came to Washington and visited the 1930s-vintage DC memorial. In his wheelchair, helped along by a military aide, he slowly crossed the cracks in the flagstone walkway, and saw the many cracks in the marble gazebo.

Still sharp at 107, he noted during that visit that the names engraved along the gazebo's marble walls are only of those who hailed from the District of Columbia. And he doesn't feel that's right.

Buckles that day also met with then-President George W. Bush at the White House and Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon.

Later in 2008, Buckles was the guest of honor at Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. He said he considers it his duty to represent his fellow WWI soldiers.

"I have to, because I'm the last living member of Americans who fought in what was called The Great War.”

As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Buckles was an ambulance driver for U.S. forces in Europe, and once met commanding Gen. John Pershing, near whose grave the more recent Veterans Day ceremony was held.

Mr. Buckles was warmly greeted with standing applause by those in uniform and by others who had gathered for the commemoration, but he said he did not think the fuss was about him.

"I can see what they're honoring: The veterans of World War I."

Happy Birthday, Mr. Buckles.

We should all be honoring the very last remaining American Doughboy; and I truly hope he gets his wish for a much deserved National Monument in Washington, for all his WWI comrades.